Jos Buttler puts Australian bowlers to the sword
1:33

Jos Buttler smashed 71 runs off 52 balls against the Australian bowling attack in Englands first innings total of 316/8.

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24 Jan 2014

Sport/Cricket/Ashes/HighlightsSport/Cricket

"As a one-day captain, it would be wrong so close to the World Cup to change (the captain). We're getting some very valuable experience here in the conditions in which we are going to play in the World Cup.''

The tourists were helped by Australia's decision to rest Michael Clarke, David Warner, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, along with stand-in skipper George Bailey's decision to send the opposition in.

Australia gave up the No.1 spot in the rankings just two days after taking over from India.

Australia's patched-up batting line-up was filled with players with a personal point to prove, but Finch could not find any meaningful support as the Aussies collapsed.

Bailey conceded resting so many of Australia's key batsmen at once had proved disruptive.

"I think it makes a difference. But I completely understand why those guys (were rested)," he said.

Australia vs England Fourth ODI – 9pm update
3:04

An Aaron Finch century has kept Australia in with a chance of chasing down Englands mammoth total of 316.

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24 Jan 2014

Sport/Cricket/Ashes/HighlightsSport/Cricket

"We play to win series and we had done that. There is some huge series coming up, particularly the Test series in South Africa, so I don't think any of the players have got any issue with the fact those guys had earned a rest."

England all-rounder Ben Stokes starred with both bat and ball, taking 4-39 off nine overs and making 70, but could find himself in hot water after giving James Faulkner a fiery send-off.

Finch blasted his second century of the series as Australia pursued what could have been the biggest successful run chase ever seen at the WACA Ground.

Finch brought up his third ODI century off 97 balls, falling for 108 after being caught slashing to third man after an innings that included eights fours and four sixes.

It was his second hundred of the series after hitting 121 to help guide Australia home in the season opener at the MCG.

Finch's dismissal in the 36th over left the big-hitting all-rounders with an enormous task, with Australia requiring 95 more runs off the final 10 overs with just four wickets in hand as Gabba hero Faulkner joined Dan Christian at the crease.

Faulker, out for 2 off 11 balls, could not repeat his heroics as the run chase spiralled out of control.

Returning wicketkeeper Matthew Wade could not cash in on batting at No.3, struggling to 23 off 42 balls before being caught at mid-off off Ravi Bopara.

Opener Shaun Marsh (15) and Bailey (11) both failed, with Bailey completing a tumultuous week after being undone by Hot Spot on an England review.

Playing his first ODI game in a year, Steve Smith (19) was also left disappointed after edging Stuart Broad behind.

Alastair Cook fails to make most of start
0:35

Description: Alistair Cooks summer of turmoil has continued, despite making a positive start the England captain was knocked over for 44 by James Faulkner.

Fox Sports

24 Jan 2014

Sport/Cricket/Ashes/HighlightsSport/Cricket

Earlier, Allan Border medallist Mitchell Johnson came back to earth as he went wicketless at his home ground, finishing with 0-72 off 10 overs as England made its highest score at the venue.

Some breathtaking late hitting from wicketkeeper Jos Buttler lifted England to 8-316 as the tourists made their highest score for the series and the fourth-highest total at the venue.

Buttler made 71 off just 43 balls before being caught in the deep in the final over, while Stokes made 70 after openers Cook and Ian Bell had got England off to a flier.

Stokes, 22, made England's only century of the Ashes series in Perth in December and he had another hundred in his sights a he again showed a maturity beyond his years in providing the backbone to the tourists' innings.

Glenn Maxwell was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 1-37 off nine overs as the fast men leaked plenty of runs, though Faulkner was on a hat-trick in the final over and finished with 4-67 off 10 overs.

Fuelled by a summer of pent-up frustration, skipper Cook unleashed a series of flashing cuts and pulls in his 44 off 43 balls.

Cook said he was "desperate" to continue as skipper of the one-day side, just days after saying he would reconsider his future in the role following a loss at the SCG.

"That was just, I think, quite an emotional time, obviously (we had) just lost another game. It's wrong for me to continue thinking like that," Cook said.

"I'm lucky enough to do this job. I'm desperate to carry on now and hopefully we can put on a good show today."